Stroger relents, agrees to cuts without new taxes

Chicago Sun-Times

February 25, 2005

By Steve Patterson

No new taxes.

Week after week, some Cook County commissioners had directed that mantra at Board President John Stroger during often feisty budget hearings.

Thursday, they won. A $3 billion budget was approved that won't raise hotel and restaurant taxes -- as Stroger proposed -- and instead calls for $73 million in spending cuts across county government.

Though Stroger spent most of Wednesday promising to veto any cuts to his $1 billion-plus health and administrative budgets, he finally relented Thursday.

But not before threatening to close clinics in districts of rival commissioners. However, Stroger later admitted they were just threats.

Worse this year

This marks the second straight year Stroger has failed to pass the budget he wanted, but this year was by far the most contentious.

The budget funds the sheriff and his jail, the chief judge, the clerk of the court, the state's attorney and all court operations, as well as the treasurer, recorder, clerk, hospital and county administrative offices.

While the budget debate was marked by posturing and demands by ambitious, younger commissioners, it was the board's elder statesmen -- Stroger and Republican Carl Hansen -- who proposed the bulk of the cuts: a combined $31 million whacked in just two cuts.

All of that came from offices in Stroger's control, even though he had warned that he could not cut any more without hurting services to residents.

Call for 'radical restructuring'

"The county didn't fold last year, didn't fold this year and it won't fold next year," Commissioner Pete Silvestri said.

With personal attacks and allegations of racism flung like spitballs across the room, a weary Stroger admitted, "It's been a long time since I've been in a budget fight that took so much out of me."

Commissioner Tony Peraica compared the process to making sausage -- not pretty to watch but "pretty good in the end."

While tax critics praised the budget, Commissioner Mike Quigley warned that with a $190 million deficit looming for 2006, this year's $73 million fight will pale by comparison.

Even Stroger conceded he'll likely allow more time for next year's budget than the eight weeks he gave this year's, even though the politics is expected to be more fierce with all 17 board seats up for election.

"The time is now," Commissioner Forrest Claypool said, "for a major, radical restructuring of county government."

Copyright 2005, Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.

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